Since the beginning of July 2021, voluntary and community groups in the East Riding have been benefitting from the Do it For East Yorkshire Community Grant which is designed to encourage communities to come together after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Town Councils, Parish Councils and voluntary or community sector organisations plus others can apply for funding between £500 and £5,000 for activity that:

  • Brings people back into your community
  • One-off events and festivals
  • Improves access to services
  • Re-start community activities, such as lunch clubs
  • Focuses on encouraging people who have been shielding to engage in community activities

To date, a total of 71 applications have been approved with more than 50% of the funding already been allocated. The local authority still has approximately £50,000 to give out so don't delay! Get in touch and start making your application.

We take a look at some of the successful applications so far and find out how they have benefitted residents in the East Riding:

Day Escapes Project from East Yorkshire Community Transport Limited received approval for funding of £4,937.50 to help provide the elderly with access to leisure and social settings. This will support them with new friendship networks following the requirement to shield during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andy Jackson, from East Yorkshire Community Transport Ltd (EYCT), added: "EYCT are delighted to receive a grant of £4,937.50 from the Do it For East Yorkshire Community Grant Scheme for our Day Escapes Project. By working with our member organisations (Goole GoFar and HART) we will provide their members with a great day out where some of the most vulnerable and elderly members of our community can get out of their homes and away from the four walls they have been staring at for the last year.

"They will be able to engage in conversations with other members of their community when accessing our transport and enjoy the Yorkshire scenery whilst travelling to their destination. We will visit a number of locations that provide a sense of excitement and anticipation for those who are in desperate need of something different due to the life they have had to live due to COVID-19."

Driffield Town Centre Steering Group received approval for £5,000.00 funding to go towards their 'Umbrella Food Court Plaza', an event and destination in the Town centre aimed at bringing the community together post-pandemic with food and refreshments.

Seaton Ross festival have had £850 of funding approved. The project aim is to provide an event that encourages the community to come together to rebuild community spirt and build new relationships. The Festival will take the opportunity to bring people together in advance of the main festival restarting in 2022.

Talking about Loss also received funding for £5,000.00 to bring lonely, isolated or bereaved people together with a range of activities that will encourage social interactions and create new connections for those affected by the pandemic.

Jacqui Gunn, TAL founder, shared: "Talking about Loss were thrilled to receive funding, as a result we were able to run a wellbeing day which provided an opportunity for people to connect back with the community and re-engage with local activities. The day had a really relaxed vibe, it was great to see people trying out different activities, and just fantastic to see people smiling and kids playing."

Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd have been awarded £5,000 for the Spurn Migration Festival 2021. The festival encourages people to come together to witness the wonder of bird migration at one of the UK's premier mainland bird observatory.

Rob Adams, from Spurn Bird Observatory Trust Ltd, said: "Spurn Bird Observatory were delighted to receive a major grant from the Do it For East Yorkshire Community Fund for the 2021 Spurn Migration Festival. Without these funds it would not have been possible to run the event and we are enormously grateful to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for making this award to our charity.

"The weekend was a huge success and was attended by a record number of people who all enjoyed witnessing the spectacle of bird migration live on site. Over 2500 meadow Pipits flew south on Saturday morning together with an Osprey 'fly by' as it winged its way towards the west coast of Africa."

Cllr Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic development and tourism at the council, said"The Do it For East Yorkshire Community Grant is making a real difference in supporting East Riding communities in coming back together after the COVID -19 pandemic. This funding provides an excellent opportunity for local groups, or Town & Parish Councils to coordinate local events, to engage with local residents or for local groups to simply start up again."

For more information and guidance on the scheme, please visit www.doitforeastyorkshire.co.uk or contact the Local Growth Team via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.